South Caucasus Peace Talks: Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Georgia wrapped up their 10th trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Istanbul, with ministers backing the push for a final Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal and agreeing a joint declaration (the Istanbul Declaration) while stressing outstanding issues must be resolved for borders and normalization to move forward. Armenia Election Fallout: Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract won parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on peace with Azerbaijan and a turn toward the West, drawing international reactions and renewed claims of Russian pressure and interference. Regional Security: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said stability hinges on peace in the Russia-Ukraine war and warned that conflicts spilling into the Black Sea and Sea of Azov raise serious risks for the region. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy Signals: Azerbaijan and Vietnam expanded judicial and prosecutorial ties via a cooperation program, while Azerbaijan’s FM Jeyhun Bayramov traveled to Istanbul for high-level talks. Sovereign Finance & Energy: Fitch affirmed Azerbaijan’s BBB- rating with a stable outlook, citing strong external buffers and SOFAZ assets. Azov Drone Tragedy: Azerbaijan reported five citizens killed and three injured in a Sea of Azov drone strike, with consular support underway. EU Partnership: EU Ambassador Marijana Kujundžić said EU-Azerbaijan strategic partnership talks advanced, with Ganja highlighted as a symbolic milestone.